Tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel

ABSTRACT

A tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel has an upper section with openings for receiving and holding tools. The caddy has a lower section which forms a recessed cavity for storing additional tools and electrical components. Arm members extend laterally outward from the upper section of the caddy. These arm members are configured to be placed within the internal space, over the panel floor, and behind the front framing members of the panel. In this position, the caddy is mounted within the panel, in a cantilevered position in relation to the panel. Ready access to electrical tools and components are thus provided while work is being done on the electrical panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a wide variety of tool caddies, many of which are designed for a particular purpose. For instance, there are many different and varied caddies configured to be connected to and extend from ladders. Caddies specifically designed for hanging on construction beams or framing, rails, and walls are also quite prevalent. And most of these caddies adequately fulfill the needs for which they are intended.

However, to date there has been no caddy or other tool supporting product particularly suited to assist the electrician or electrical worker who is installing or servicing components within a wall-mounted electrical panel. This work most often requires the repeated use of screwdrivers, pliers, electrical wire cutters and stripers, and other tools, as well as the installation and removal of electrical components from within the panel. The electrician is either continually compelled to bend over and search for a tool or component on the floor or ground beneath the panel, or precariously place tools or components within the panel itself or on some random adjacent surface. There is currently nothing which offers the electrician a convenient, readily available means of positioning electrical tools or components, for quick access, while work is being done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a tool caddy specifically designed to be used by the electrician or electrical worker performing installation or removal of components or while doing general servicing within a wall-mounted electrical panel.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel which can be easily positioned and placed adjacent to an electrical panel to permit the receipt and storage of electrical tools and electrical components while the electrician or electrical worker is performing service on the panel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel which is relatively lightweight, but sturdy enough to hold electrical tools and components.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel which provides the electrician or electrical worker with a convenient and accessible means of retrieving electrical tools and components while work is being done on an electrical panel.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel which is portable and can be used many times on different electrical service jobs.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel having an upper section with openings for receiving and holding tools. The caddy has a lower section which forms a recessed cavity for storing additional tools and electrical components. Arm members extend laterally outward from the upper section of the caddy. These arm members are configured to be placed within the internal space, over the panel floor, and behind the front framing members of the panel. In this position, the caddy is mounted. within the panel, in a cantilevered position in relation to the panel. Ready access to electrical tools and components are thus provided while work is being done on the electrical panel.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool caddy of the present invention mounted within a wall-mounted electrical panel and holding tools and electrical accessories.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the tool caddy of the present invention mounted within a wall-mounted electrical panel and holding tools and electrical accessories.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the tool caddy of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Electrical panel tool caddy 1 comprises upper section 2 which extends around the entire perimeter of the caddy. Upper section 2 has front wall 4, side walls 6 and 8, back wall 10, and top surface 12. Openings 14 and 16 extend completely through top surface 12 and upper section 2 for the placement of screwdrivers 18, pliers 20, and other tools commonly used for electrical work. Wing or arm members 40 and 42 extend laterally outward from back wall 10 of upper section 2, in opposite directions. The arm members extend perpendicular to side walls 6 and 8, respectively.

Lower section 22 extends downward, beneath upper section 2. Lower section 22 comprises front wall 24, side walls 26 and 28, bottom 30, and back wall 32. Recessed cavity 34 is formed between front wall 24 and back wall 32, between side walls 26 and 28, and above bottom 30. Cavity 34 is configured to accept and carry additional electrical tools, electrical components, or other work related items 36 and 38.

Caddy 1 is sized to be positioned in standard wall-mounted electrical panels, such as is shown in FIG. 1. Electrical panel 50, mounted to wall 51, is shown with its front cover removed, so as to allow electrical work to be done within the panel, routinely comprises panel floor 52, horizontal bottom panel framing member 54, panel side walls 56 and 58, and panel back wall 60, all enclosing internal space 62. Vertical front panel framing members 64 and 66 are positioned perpendicular to side walls 56 and 58 respectively. Framing members 64 and 66 are configured to be connected to the panel's cover, not shown in the FIGS.

Caddy 1 is designed to be used when electrical work is being done within internal space 62 of panel 50, and the electrician or electrical worker requires a ready and convenient means of positioning and storing tools or other electrical components while doing this work. Towards this end, caddy 1 is manually placed such that its arm members 40 and 42 are located within internal space 62, over and on panel floor 52, and behind framing members 64 and 66. In this position, the rear portion of upper section 2 is also within internal space 62 and back wall 32 of lower section 22 is flush against bottom panel framing member 54, as best seen in FIG. 2.

The placement of caddy within electrical panel 50 in this manner results in the caddy being supported in a stable, cantilevered position in relation to the panel. The combination of arm members 40 and 42 wedged behind framing members 64 and 66 on and over panel floor 52, and back wall 32 compelled against bottom panel framing member 54, ensures that caddy 1 is securely maintained in this position. Caddy 1 is additionally secured when tools 18 and 20 are placed within openings 14 and 16 and electrical components 36 and 38 are placed within cavity 34. In fact, it can readily be appreciated that the weight of electrical tools and components stored within caddy 1 serves to further compel back wall 32 down and against bottom panel framing member 54, creating an even more stable platform for these items.

Removal of caddy 1 from panel 50 requires only that the caddy be emptied. The caddy can then simply be lifted out from internal space 62.

It is contemplated that caddy 1 can be fabricated from wood, or rigid, high strength, molded plastic, or other equivalent material. Caddy 1 must be relatively lightweight for ease of placement and removal, but sturdy enough to accept and store commonly used electrical tools and components.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel having an internal space, a panel floor, and vertically front panel framing members, said caddy comprising: an upper section having a front wall, side walls, and opening means for receiving and holding tools; a lower section comprising a front wall and a back wall, each said wall extending downward beneath the upper section; and arm means extending laterally outward from the upper section, perpendicular to the side walls, for positioning the caddy within the electrical panel, said arm means being configured for placement within the internal space, over and on the panel floor, and behind the front panel framing members, whereby upon placement of the caddy within the internal space, the caddy is mounted in a cantilevered position in relation to the electrical panel.
 2. The tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel as in claim 1 further comprising a recessed cavity located between the front and back walls of the lower section.
 3. The tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel as in claim 1 wherein the arm means comprise arm members extending laterally outward from the side walls of the upper section.
 4. The tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel as in claim 3 wherein the arm members extend from the side walls in opposite directions.
 5. The tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel as in claim 1 wherein the opening means comprises through openings within the upper section.
 6. A tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel having an internal space, a panel floor, vertically front panel framing members, and a horizontal bottom panel framing member extending between the front panel framing members, said caddy comprising: an upper section having a front wall, side walls, and opening means for receiving and holding tools; a lower section comprising a front wall and a back wall, each said wall extending downward beneath the upper section; and arm means extending laterally outward from the upper section, perpendicular to the side walls, for positioning the caddy within the electrical panel, said arm means being configured for placement within the internal space, over and on the panel floor, and behind the front panel framing members, whereby upon placement of the caddy within the internal space, the caddy is mounted in a cantilevered position in relation to the electrical panel, with the back wall of the lower section flush against the bottom panel framing member.
 7. The tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel as in claim 6 further comprising a recessed cavity located between the front and back walls of the lower section.
 8. The tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel as in claim 6 wherein the arm means comprise arm members extending laterally outward from the side walls of the upper section.
 9. The tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel as in claim 8 wherein the arm members extend from the side walls in opposite directions.
 10. The tool caddy for a wall-mounted electrical panel as in claim 6 wherein the opening means comprises through openings within the upper section. 